Chapter 1232

Zhu Zhong let out a cold shout, then hurried after the two, returning together to Shanzhai.

The next morning, as dawn just began to break, Tian Mi was startled awake by the commotion outside the courtyard.

She pushed open the window and looked out, seeing all of Tian's relatives gathered in the hall, looking eager and excited.

As Tian Mi puzzled over this, a little boy, about four or five years old, ran in.

The boy was neatly dressed, with two small braids, and looked sharp and adorable.

The boy rushed into Tian Mi's arms and said in a high-pitched, childish voice,

"Mama, yesterday someone broke into our house saying he wanted to marry you, and now Grandpa and Grandma are arguing with him!"

Upon hearing this, Tian Mi immediately threw off the covers and got out of bed.

"What? Someone came to the Tian family to propose marriage, and wants to take me?"

"How audacious!"

"Tian Tian, what are you doing?"

Tian Tian saw her disheveled and rushed forward to support her.

Tian Mi said nothing, merely hurriedly put on her clothes and shoes, then left the room.

In the Tian family hall, Tian Hu glared at Zhu Zhong and said,

"Zhu Zhong, don't you know this is our Tian family's forbidden ground?"

"Why did you bring someone here so casually?"

"What if something happens? Can you bear the consequences?"

"Get out right now!"

"Big Brother Tian Hu, I brought Hearing Sheng Qi here to see my father because I want to save him."

"If you block me from saving him, don't blame me for turning against you."

Zhu Zhong retorted coldly.

All of the Tian family fell silent.

Tian Hu frowned and waved his hand impatiently:

"Forget it, forget it, you all leave first—I'll think about it some more."

Hearing this, the Tian family members immediately sighed in relief and filed out.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhong also turned and walked out.

Unexpectedly, the instant he stepped across the threshold, Tian Hu suddenly drew his sword and slashed at him!

Puchī—

A jet of blood sprayed out!

Zhu Zhong screamed in agony, clutching his bleeding abdomen, stumbling and collapsing onto the steps.

He struggled to turn his head and roared in furious disbelief,

"Tian Hu, are you insane!"

He never imagined Tian Hu would ambush him like this.

"Zhu Zhong, I've hated you for a long time, you bastard!"

"Daring to ruin my plans—I'm going to cut you to pieces today!"

Tian Hu raised his sword to stab.

But Tian Tian suddenly appeared, grabbing Tian Hu's arm and pleading, "Second Uncle, don't hurt Brother Zhu!"

Zhu Zhong is Ximen Wudi's friend—if she does nothing, Ximen Wudi will never forgive her.

Besides, she also despises Zhu Zhong and wishes he'd die!

"Hmph! Tian Hu, you'd better give up, or when my brother returns, he'll bring ruin upon your Tian family village!"

Zhu Zhong gritted his teeth, forcing out a threatening voice despite his pain,

"The people of Tian family village are kind and honest—if you kill me, everyone will avenge me!"

"Hahaha, you?"

Tian Hu threw back his head and laughed scornfully,

"You, a few outcasts from a bandit nest, think you can wipe out my Tian family village?"

"Dream on!"

Although Tian family village is remote, it does have residents.

Over the past few years, Tian Hu has lived by robbing wealthy merchants.

Thus, he has hired many guards to defend against danger.

"You..."

Zhu Zhong clenched his teeth, but his entire body ached, his strength reduced by nine-tenths—he dared not provoke Tian Hu further.

Ximen Wudi stood to the side, silently saying nothing.

"Master Tian, just accept it!"

Tian Hu's cousin stepped forward and said, "This Young Master is the grandson of the Grand General who Guards the Nation—your Tian Tian being with him is no loss!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhong and Tian Tian both froze.

They exchanged glances, each seeing a flicker of fear in the other's eyes.

What did "Grand General who Guards the Nation" even mean?

It meant a minister beside the Emperor!

His grandson was the grandson of the Grand General who Guards the Nation?

"No, I won't marry him!"

This news made Tian Tian shriek at the top of her voice,

"The son-in-law of Tian Family Village cannot be the grandson of the Grand General who protects the nation."

This was the ending she feared most, and an agony she absolutely could not bear.

"Tian'er, don't talk nonsense!"

Ximen Wudi glared at Tian Tian.

Tian Tian was so frightened she kept crying, "Second Brother, don't lie to me, you're all lying to me, aren't you?

The grandson of the Grand General who protects the nation couldn't possibly be that kind of scoundrel.

He must be an impostor, it has to be like this!"

"Sister Tian'er, I'm not a scoundrel, I truly like you!"

Zhu Zhong climbed up from the ground, his face full of shame as he said,

"Brother Ximen Wudi is right, I did indeed pretend to be the grandson of the Grand General who protects the nation.

Because I wanted to marry you, I needed a perfectly legitimate reason.

So I searched through every possible excuse, and in the end finally fabricated this lie!

Please forgive me, it was I who deceived you all."

"Zhu Zhong, why did you have to do this?"

Tian Tian cried even more miserably, "We don't even know you, so why did you have to deceive me like this?".

Zhu Zhong shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "Miss Tian'er, you don't understand,

after my parents both passed away, I became an orphan.

If no one took me in, I would sooner or later have starved to death on the streets.

I didn't want to become a beggar like the other children in the village!

So, I chose to hide my identity, hoping I would have a chance to join Tian Family Fort.

As long as I became a clansman of Tian Family Fort, I wouldn't have to go hungry or cold.

Tian'er, I truly like you very much.

Please give me one chance!"